The Effects Of COVID-19 On Medical Faculty Students

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the subsequent social distancing measures have been associated with an increased prevalence of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students received distance education. This study aimed to explore medical students' experiences regarding the mode of education they received during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their self-reported mental health during this period. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between 03/03/2022 and 30/06/2022 with Turkish medical students. Students completed an online questionnaire battery. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, questions about the impact of COVID-19 personally and educationally and(fear of contracting COVID-19, death of a relative due to COVID-19, distance education status during the pandemic, etc.), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 scale. Results: A total of 647 students studying at medical faculties in Turkey took part. The prevalence of anxiety (41.7%) and depression (61.2%) were associated with inadequate emotional support during the pandemic, fear of a family member contracting COVID-19 and dying, and the death of a relative due to COVID-19. Most (67.2%) were dissatisfied with the quality of practical medical education they received. Moreover, 47.9% of students believed that the medical education they received during the pandemic was poor. Conclusion: Students were dissatisfied with their lives and experienced high rates of anxiety and depression. A program for mental health screening and follow-up for medical students may be warranted. Also medical schools need to identify new educational strategies.